Jonathan Reckford, CEO Habitat for Humanity Commissions Community Water Project

Habitat for Humanity CEO, Jonathan Reckford commissioned a  water project in Kochogo South, Kisumu County that will benefit over 4000 residents of Kochogo South, Kisumu County. The 204-meter borehole which has yielded fresh water 20 cubic liters per hour was drilled by Habitat for Humanity Kenya with funding from BMZ.

The project was commissioned during Jonathan Reckford’s  official visit to Kenya  he was accompanied by Maurice Makoloo, the Area Vice President Habitat for Humanity Africa, Anthony Okoth National Director Habitat for Humanity Kenya.

Speaking during the commissioning of the project, Jonathan Reckford appreciated the community members for the partnership and close working relations that has led to the successful drilling of the borehole.

“Water is essential part of housing and lack of it exposes humanity to great suffering and distress. It even gets worse during dry seasons forcing many people especially women to walk longer distances to look for water. I am happy because this project will bring long lasting solution to this community,” said Jonathan Reckford. He also appreciated the partnership with the community and the local catholic church at Disi that donated the piece of land on which the water was drilled.

The community water is part of Kochogo South Water Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH) integrated project sponsored by BMZ with an objective of enabling the residents to cope with the frequent cycles of drought and floods through social structures and physical infrastructures established for management of water, sanitation and hygiene services.

The water will be supplied to two schools in the region, Disi secondary and Nyomwaro primary. Besides, the water will be reticulated to additional 5 kiosks to benefit the community members, within a radius of 10 Km.

This project has other components in the schools including toilet construction for the pupils which is ongoing both at Disi and Nyomwaro primary schools. Besides, the schools have Children Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation CHAST programmes focusing on menstrual hygiene and will soon provide the girls with sanitary towel.  Besides the project has components of WASH promotion at the community level through   Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST).

To address the flooding issue, this project aims at desilting and embarkment of a 12 KM canal in this community to enhance drainage capacity, this we will do in collaboration with the county government of Kisumu. We hope this will bring transformation in the village and reduce the frequent flooding.